Deuteronomy 5 1

Deuteronomy 5:1 kjv

And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

Deuteronomy 5:1 nkjv

And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: "Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them.

Deuteronomy 5:1 niv

Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.

Deuteronomy 5:1 esv

And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, "Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and be careful to do them.

Deuteronomy 5:1 nlt

Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, "Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 1 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:1 initiates a pivotal address by Moses, gathering all of Israel to emphasize the supreme importance of diligently heeding and actively applying the divine laws revealed by God. This verse serves as a solemn call to attention, establishing that God's commandments—encompassing both foundational statutes and specific judgments—are to be not only learned and understood but profoundly absorbed, vigilantly safeguarded in the heart, and consistently put into practice through obedience.

Deuteronomy 5 1 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 5 serves as a powerful recapitulation of the covenant established at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Moses, now an old man, addresses the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, a generation that did not directly experience the miraculous exodus from Egypt or the original giving of the Law. This verse, Deu 5:1, is a direct summons that precedes the re-statement of the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:6-21), emphasizing the ongoing and vital relevance of God's commands. The historical backdrop is critical: Israel is poised to enter the Promised Land, a new environment filled with foreign cultures and religious practices. Moses' address underscores that their success and continued blessing in the land depend entirely on their faithful remembrance and active adherence to the covenant God made with their forefathers. This second proclamation of the Law is not merely a historical review but a covenant renewal for the generation about to inherit Canaan.

Deuteronomy 5 1 Word analysis

• And Moses called all Israel,
  • Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): Signifies his authoritative role as God's chosen leader and mediator, acting as the primary channel through whom God's message and Law are conveyed. His actions are not arbitrary but divinely ordained.
  • called (קָרָא - qara): Implies a formal, solemn summons, not a casual gathering. It highlights the gravity and importance of the assembly and the message that is about to be delivered.
  • all Israel: Encompasses the entire community of God's covenant people—every tribe, family, and individual. This emphasizes the universal applicability of the Law and collective responsibility, ensuring no one is excluded or exempted from the command to hear and obey.
• and said unto them, Hear, O Israel,
  • said (דָּבַר - dabar): To speak, declare, or utter. Denotes authoritative, significant communication, often implying a pronouncement or decree rather than mere conversation.
  • Hear (שְׁמַע - shema): This pivotal Hebrew term means more than simply perceiving sound. It signifies an attentive, understanding, and obedient listening—a receptive hearing that leads to action. It is foundational to the covenant relationship, implying not just intellectual assent but a profound readiness to obey.
  • O Israel: A direct, personal address to the nation, reinforcing their identity as the covenant people and underscoring their unique relationship with the living God. It sets a personal charge before each listener.
• the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day,
  • statutes (חֻקִּים - ḥuqim): Refers to established ordinances, divine decrees, or moral precepts often relating to religious, moral, or ritual commands. These are fixed, foundational principles reflecting God's nature.
  • judgments (מִשְׁפָּטִים - mishpatim): Refers to specific legal decisions, judicial precedents, and just regulations governing social, civil, and criminal matters. Together with "statutes," they encapsulate the entire breadth of God's revealed law.
  • which I speak: Moses reiterates his role as the conduit, stressing that the words are divinely inspired and spoken through him, thus carrying divine authority. It is God's Law, spoken by God's chosen messenger.
  • in your ears: A powerful idiom for a direct, clear, audible proclamation, emphasizing that the message is conveyed distinctly and personally to ensure everyone hears and understands, leaving no room for misunderstanding or excuses.
  • this day: A recurring Deuteronomic phrase (found over 80 times), stressing the immediate, present relevance, urgency, and continual obligation of the covenant for this generation standing at this moment, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It means the command is current and applicable now and moving forward.
• that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
  • learn (לָמַד - lamad): Implies a diligent process of studying, comprehending, and mastering the laws, not just rote memorization. It requires intentional effort and teaching.
  • keep (שָׁמַר - shamar): To guard, observe, watch over, preserve, be diligent in maintaining. It denotes internalizing the commands, upholding them in one's mind, and being vigilant in their observance.
  • do (עָשָׂה - asah): To perform, enact, practice, carry out. This is the ultimate stage: translating understanding and commitment into concrete, obedient actions and practical application in daily life.
  • Progression: hear, learn, keep, do: This sequence describes the full cycle of faithful engagement with God's Law:
    • Hear: Passive reception combined with active, spiritual attentiveness.
    • Learn: Intellectual and spiritual assimilation of the Word.
    • Keep: Internal commitment, diligent observation, and cherishing the commands.
    • Do: Outward, active obedience and practical application of the commands in daily life. This progression shows that genuine faith leads to a life of active and sustained obedience.

Deuteronomy 5 1 Bonus section

• The structure of Deuteronomy, especially Moses' speeches, has often been compared to ancient Near Eastern covenant treaties, where a suzerain (powerful king) would recount history and restate the terms to his vassals. Deu 5:1 initiates this restatement of divine stipulations.
• The re-narration of the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5 highlights their timelessness and foundational importance, distinguishing them from the more temporary civil or ceremonial laws. They form the core moral standard for God's people.
• The collective address to "all Israel" reinforces the idea of communal covenant and responsibility. The failure or success of one affected the whole, necessitating that every individual commit to the divine mandates.
• The act of Moses speaking the words, even though they originated from God, emphasizes the role of divinely appointed teachers and leaders in conveying God's truth to His people, a principle that echoes into the New Testament with apostles and evangelists.

Deuteronomy 5 1 Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:1 sets the stage for one of the most significant moments in Israel's history—the renewal of their covenant with God. Moses, serving as the divinely appointed prophet, summons the entire assembly, a powerful symbol of the unified responsibility of God's people. His command "Hear, O Israel" goes far beyond a simple call to listen; it is the imperative "Shema Yisrael," a foundational call for a comprehensive and receptive obedience that penetrates intellect, will, and action. The mention of "statutes and judgments" emphasizes the complete spectrum of God's revealed law, covering both the unchanging moral principles and the specific societal applications, reflecting God's character and His desire for order and righteousness within His covenant people.

Moses underscores his role as God's instrument, declaring that these are not his words, but God's, delivered "in your ears this day." The phrase "this day" powerfully imbues the message with immediate relevance and continuous obligation for this new generation about to enter the Promised Land. The purpose for this attentive hearing is profound and progressive: they are to "learn them, and keep, and do them." This triad highlights a holistic process: deep understanding precedes careful adherence (keeping watch over the laws in their heart and mind), which in turn must lead to active and consistent obedience (doing or performing them in their daily lives). God desires not merely intellectual knowledge or superficial observance, but a transformed life that outwardly demonstrates an internal commitment to His will. This holistic obedience, stemming from attentive hearing, was the pathway to blessing and sustained life in the land promised to their forefathers.